Abu Dhabi, UAE – The Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum announced the opening of project presentations to participate in the sixth edition of its contemporary art initiative, the “Art of the Time 2026” exhibition, and the Richard Mill Art Prize, and expanding the scope of participation in them to include India and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Reflecting the long historical ties between the UAE and India. Based on exchange, coexistence and common human values.
The museum invited artists from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (citizens and residents) and India (citizens) to submit project presentations for the “Art of the Time 2026” exhibition, focusing on the theme of “Tributaries”. Which explores how the contemporary world is shaped by the interaction between history, cultures, and environments. How cultural cross-fertilization arises to contribute to creating spaces for exchange, interaction, integration, and transformation.
As part of this edition of the exhibition, artists will work on preparing project displays of large-scale artworks dedicated to the site. Interact with the outdoor spaces beneath the iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi dome, starting with the Damascus Fountain and passing through a corridor leading to a shallow basin that encourages contemplation. All the way to the general mural artwork by artist Jenny Holzer.
Supporting local talent
The first edition of the “Art of Now” exhibition was launched at Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2021, and supports local and regional talent. It highlights the region’s vibrant artistic and cultural scene. It also continues to expand its scope across different geographical regions, providing a space for interaction between different cultures. It presented narratives of human creativity that transcend the boundaries of individual cultures and civilizations.
The theme of this year’s edition, “Tributaries,” is based on this vision: culture is seen as like the sea, not static or monolithic. Rather, it is multi-layered and constantly evolving, reshaped through movement, encounter, and return.
The most important cultural experiences
This year’s exhibition themes include migration, separation, nostalgia, and loss. It also addresses the concepts of acceptance, rebirth, and renewal, and reminds us of the intersection of languages, foods, and music. Diverse social practices represent some of our most important and rich cultural experiences.
The museum explained that the door for submitting project presentations is open until May 31, 2026, and that artists can submit their presentations through its website.
Supporting contemporary artists
A prestigious jury will evaluate the performances and select the works included in the shortlist in preparation for assigning the artists to implement them and display them in the “Art of Now” exhibition, which opens next November.
One of the nominated artists will receive the 2026 Richard Mille Art Prize. Worth $60,000, it aims to support contemporary artists and showcase their creativity. In line with the museum’s mission to promote intercultural ties and highlight regional talent, the award winner will be announced next December.
